Unusual optical quiescence of the classical BL Lac object PKS 0735+178 on intranight time-scale

We present the result of our extensive intranight optical monitoring of the well-known low-energy peaked BL Lac (LBL) object PKS 0735+178. This long-term follow-up consists of R -band monitoring for a minimum duration of ∼4 hours, on 17 nights spanning 11 years (1998–2008). Using the CCD as an N-star photometer, a detection limit of around 1 per cent was attained for the intranight optical variability (INOV). Remarkably, an INOV amplitude of  ≥3 per cent  on hour-like time-scale was not observed on any of the 17 nights, even though the likelihood of a typical LBL showing such INOV levels in a single session of  ≳4  hours duration is known to be high  (∼50 per cent)  . Our observations have thus established a peculiar long-term INOV quiescence of this radio-selected BL Lac object. Moreover, the access to unpublished optical monitoring data of similarly high sensitivity, acquired in another programme, has allowed us to confirm the same anomalous INOV quiescence of this LBL all the way back to 1989, the epoch of its historically largest radio outburst. Here, we present observational evidence revealing the very unusual INOV behaviour of this classical BL Lac object and discuss this briefly in the context of its other known exceptional properties.     

Study of star formation in NGC 1084

We present UBVRI broad-band, Hα narrow-band photometry of the star-forming complexes in the infrared bright galaxy NGC 1084. Results of medium-resolution spectroscopy of some of the brighter complexes are also discussed. Spectroscopic data are used to better estimate the internal reddening within the galaxy which is found to be highly variable and to calculate metallicity which is close to the solar value. A diagnostic diagram identifies the shocked regions within this galaxy. The narrow-band Hα flux and its equivalent width are used to determine the star formation rates of the complexes and the distribution of ages. Star formation rates for a few of the complexes are found to be as high as  0.5 M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . The star-forming complexes lie in the age range 3 to 6.5 Myr. A U − B versus V − I colour–colour mixed population model created using the Starburst99 model colours is used to estimate the ages of the stellar populations present within these regions. Using this technique, it is found that the star formation in NGC 1084 has taken place in a series of short bursts over the last 40 Myr or so. It is proposed that the likely trigger for enhanced star formation is merger with a gas-rich dwarf galaxy.     

Factor analysis of sphericity and roundness data of clastic quartz grains: Environmental significance

The first four sample statistics of two-dimensional projection sphericity and those of two-dimensional projection roundness of clastic quartz grains belonging to river, beach and eolian environments and to the three size grades 0.350 mm-0.297 mm, 0.297 mm-0.250 mm and 0.250 mm-0.210 mm were subjected to R-mode factor analysis. The results show that the particles of these size grades are carried largely as a traction carpet in the river and beach environments and are carried largely by saltation in the eolian environment. Sorting and abrasion are the causes of areal variation in the mean sphericity and mean roundness of a population, respectively. Selective sorting causes nonnormality in the sphericity distribution, whereas roundness distribution is originally nonnormal. Selective sorting is most effective in the eolian, less so in the beach and least so in the river environment, and consequently sphericity-nonnormality constitutes a valuable parameter for environmental discrimination. Intensity of rounding is highest in the beach, less in the eolian and least in the river environments. Due to its wide variation from environment to environment the mean roundness constitutes a valuable parameter for differentiating different environments. Sphericity variables contribute more to the discrimination of environments than roundness variables.     

Zooplankton Distribution in Coastal Water off Gopalpur,North-Western Bay of Bengal

An interannual study on zooplankton abundance, biomass, and species composition was carried out during different seasons in two local coastal water types off Gopalpur, north-western Bay of Bengal. Although, Type-1 was observed with higher zooplankton abundance in comparison to Type-2, pattern of variation followed similar seasonal trends in both water types during individual years. Well pronounced seasonality was observed in zooplankton distribution. Zooplankton community was composed of 217 holoplankton and 22 meroplankton. The holoplankton community was predominated by copepod in terms of species diversity and abundance followed by hydrozoa, tintinnida, malacostraca, gastropoda, chaetognatha and chordata. The meroplankton were represented by larval forms viz. bivalve veliger, brachyuran zoea larvae, caridean larvae, copepod nauplii, fish egg and gastropod veliger. Dominance of copepod species viz. Acrocalanus longicornis, Paracalanus aculeatus and Paracalanus parvus were observed frequently in both water types. The species richness was higher in Type-1 in comparison to Type-2 during both the years. Salinity regimes and availability of phytoplankton prey influenced the distribution and species composition of zooplankton assemblage.     

In-orbit Performance of UVIT and First Results

The performance of the ultraviolet telescope (UVIT) on-board AstroSat is reported. The performance in orbit is also compared with estimates made from the calibrations done on the ground. The sensitivity is found to be within \(\sim \)15% of the estimates, and the spatial resolution in the NUV is found to exceed significantly the design value of \(1.8^{\prime \prime }\) and it is marginally better in the FUV. Images obtained from UVIT are presented to illustrate the details revealed by the high spatial resolution. The potential of multi-band observations in the ultraviolet with high spatial resolution is illustrated by some results.     

Massive compact dwarf stars and C-field

The effect of C-field in high density matter has been studied. We find that the negative energy and negative pressure of the C-field helps in formation of massive compact stable neutron stars of mass ∼ 0.5 solar mass which is in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 solar mass of recently observed dwarf stars.     

El Niño Modoki connection to extremely-low streamflow of the Paranaíba River in Brazil

Extremely-low discharge events of the Paranaíba River basin during the austral summer season (December–February, DJF), are found to be associated with the Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies resembling the recently identified El Niño Modoki phenomenon. Extreme discharge events are identified based on their persistent flow for 7 days and more after taking retention time into consideration. Ninety percent of the extremely low discharge events during peak streamflow seasons of DJF, are found to occur during the El Niño Modoki years. A diagnostics study of atmospheric anomalies has shown a clear connection between the modified Walker circulation, associated with the El Niño Modoki, and the precipitation anomalies over the Paranaíba River basin. The climate variations have direct relationship with the rainfall. Streamflow variations are considered as the surrogates to rainfalls. Thus, El Niño Modoki phase is important component to understand and predict the streamflow variations in the Paranaíba River basin.